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Category Archives: Happiness

This past weekend, I participated in the South Florida Brain Tumor Association’s 10th Annual Sprint for a Cure 5k. This cause holds a very heavy and dedicated place in my heart, and it felt beyond wonderful to run for this purpose.

Honestly, this was the first time I ever ran a race for a cause that meant so much to me. Of course, I support all of the great causes I have run for in the past, but there is something about running for something so personal that leaves you feeling inspired, accomplished, and selfless.

An interesting and unimportant note- I ran my fastest 5k ever. I think this is because I was so unconcerned about myself and my time and simply so focused on running with meaning.

The weather was humid and wet, the course was nothing scenic, the competition was nothing fierce, and the distance was short- but this was beyond a doubt the best run of my life.

Goal: Run the 2014 1/2 marathon in Chicago for this same cause.

What sporting events have you participated in that were extra special to you?

About three years ago, I studied abroad for a few weeks in Asia. It was the trip of a lifetime, filled with memories, experiences, and tons of pictures. When I came home and developed, framed, and revisited those pictures is when it hit me: I was very out of shape. I had gained about 15 pounds that year, avoided exercise, and developed terrible eating habits. Ever since then, I have made working out a priority. Although my diet has improved greatly since then, I am not one to give up pizza, cupcakes, or candy. Say what you want about my reasoning, but working out, in my mind, allows me to indulge and still stay fit and healthy.

I think being active is such an important part to being healthy and happy. Here are some useful tips I believe anyone can benefit from, no matter what stage of fitness you are in.

Starting from Scratch

When you are starting from scratch, motivation and choosing the right activity are key.

Choose an activity that is enjoyable and challenging but not overwhelming. Do not sign up for an intense spin class or a 6 mile race thinking that will motivate you. That will just emphasize how long you have been out of the game. Try run/walk intervals, elliptical training, zumba, bicycling, or even yoga/pilates. At this point, it is important to just get moving doing something you enjoy, but make sure you stick to a consistent schedule.

Motivate yourself! For $10 you can create an awesome playlist that distracts you, gets your body moving, and sets the tone and pace for your workout. For $20-$30 you can buy some cute workout gear that you will look forward to wearing. Or, you can sign up for a class at a local gym or studio.

Make your workout something you look forward to. If it’s something you dread, you won’t do it. Even though activities like yoga and walking are less intense (and you will burn less calories) than other activities, if it’s all that you will do, it’s most definitely better than nothing.

If you feel like time is a huge factor preventing you from working out, two important things to do are to plan and be realistic. Map out your week and realistically allocate certain days to certain activities, based on time. Some helpful suggestions are to invest in a few workout DVDs, a yoga mat, and some comfortable weights. Pick a TV show that you can watch mindlessly (Real Housewives, anyone?), and workout as you watch! You can get tons of great workouts for free online.

Also for busy individuals: remember, not all your exercise needs to be done at once. A 20 minute morning walk with 20 minutes of toning at night is 40 minutes you won’t even miss, trust me.

Don’t forget old reliable friends such as push ups, planks, crunches, squats, and lunges. These babies are classics for a reason and seriously require less time than an episode of Big Bang Theory. Added bonus: NO equipment required. No excuses for you frequent travelers!

Getting Too Comfortable

You’ve started working out, but now you are stuck in your comfort zone. Now is the time to kick it up a notch.

Challenge yourself. Were you walking/running? Try just running- you can probably go farther than you think! Were you bicycling? Try spinning or upping the resistance on your bike. Loved pilates? Mix in some resistance bands or switch to more intermediate level moves. No matter what your activity: change moves, add resistance, or up the incline

Mix in a new activity. Ultimately, you want a good mix of cardio and strength training. Most of us tend to enjoy what comes more naturally to us. Just be sure to mix in a little of the other category for a nice balanced, diversified work out.

Update that playlist! Even a few new songs makes the world of a difference.

Been There, Done That, Now I’m Bored…

You’re fit and accomplished but the worst plague of all is hitting you: boredom.

Obviously, mixing up your routines are key. However, beware that sometimes trying a new activity is not as satisfying as your old passion. If you are a seasoned runner and try cycling, you may not like it! That’s ok. In that case, your disdain of cycling will remind you of you passion for running. Just try mixing up something: your pace, your time, your route, your company, your music.. anything to give your mind a new focus.

Constantly explore new options and activities. They key is not to give up what you used to do, but to add in a little variety so that your old routine is new and exciting again.

Find new motivation. I find signing up for frequent events such as races, especially for a meaningful cause, always ignites a spark in me. There are many more events out there than road races. Visit active.com to find events in your area.

Splurge on new equipment. This is different than the “beginner motivators” such as music and workout gear. These items should be more of a reward to help re-spark your love of something; expensive running shoes, a Garmin, a good bicycle, a fitness class membership, expensive golf clubs, you name it! Or, ladies, any item from LuLuLemon!

Take a break! It sounds counterintuitive, but try not working out for 4-5 days. Take the time to relax, physically and mentally, and by the time you start again you will probably be itching to do whatever it is you do.

And Always Remember:

Every little step counts! Being fit is about being active. Taking the stairs, the long route, or walking your dog do count.

Push yourself, but within limits. Exercising should be kept as enjoyable as possible. Some days, exercising can wipe away your stress. But then there are always those days that Ben and Jerry will help you more. And that’s fine! Working out should be an ongoing lifestyle, not a daily chore.

One of the quotes that really sticks with me about working out is from Bethanny Frankel. “Do what you can, when you can”. Do not forego food, plans, or time doing other things in order to workout. Instead, maximize your free time, no matter how small, to doing something active.

Yes, I am alive. And I promise to be blogging (and cooking) more in the upcoming weeks.

This post, however, is to document the 10k that I ran this morning. I know for some serious runners this may not be a huge deal, but it was my first time running this distance in a more competitive atmosphere, so yay me!

Before the race!

As I had previously mentioned, participation in this race came to be when I decided 1) I was slacking on my running 2) I was flabbing up a bit and 3) I needed some form of motivation. So, I literally registered for the first 10k that was coming up and took place on a Sunday (since I work on Saturdays). Hence my participation in the “Gumbo Limbo Green Turtle Gallop” in Boca Raton for sea turtle conservation.

Now, don’t let the name fool you. When I showed up this morning, the event was crawling with serious runners. I’m talking fit, toned people with multiple 13.1 and 26.2 stickers on their cars. The types of people who run these 10ks as warm-ups or tapers for their marathons. I ran this race with a friend of mine who used to be in the Israeli army and even he was a bit shocked at the uber-competitive turn out. We overheard a group talking about how they “knocked out 10 miles yesterday like it was nothing”.

Before the race! Macy came to support :-)

Don’t get me wrong. I run (kind of) frequently, and a few summers ago I actually logged serious milage. But lately, my runs have been more of the 3-4 mile variety squeezed in whenever I find a spare milisecond in my week. Needless to say, I was nervous. I seriously thought to myself “what if I actually finish last?”

I did NOT finish last. Or even close to it. Completed the whole thing in 62 minutes which was exactly my goal. Although the 6.2 miles were challenging, I was able to run most of this at a very comfortable pace and could have even kept going. Finishing this race made me feel great inside and motivated me to sign up for more.

After the race- #bestfeeling #donezo

One item on my bucket list is to run a half marathon one day, and I had been seriously considering flying to Chicago this May for the one benefitting Northwestern University’s Brain Tumor Research Center, as this cause is extremely near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, the race is the day of my graduation from pharmacy school. I did manage to stumble upon the Florida Brain Tumor Association’s 10th annual 5k happening in two weeks right in my area. I was ecstatic to discover this race and immediately signed up, along with my boyfriend.

I am so happy that I am back in the running groove. The sense of accomplishment, motivation, and happiness it brings never ceases to amaze me. I read a running quote somewhere that read “man, I really regret that run. -said nobody ever”. Totally true.

To celebrate my newly recharged running spirit, I updated my playlist and bought a brand new pair of Asics.

What motivates you guys to run? What are your favorite running tunes? And what is your favorite race you have run?

These past few weeks have been beyond brutal on this (LAST) rotation. But, instead of blogging about how stressed and tired I am (and how uninteresting my life has been), I have instagramed the highlights of my days. The moments that get me through, and that when added up, remind me that these weeks haven’t been quite so bad.